Life After Zombies
What would happen to planet earth if the human race were to suddenly disappear forever, wiped out by a plaque of the undead? Would ecosystems thrive? What remnants of our industrialized world would survive? What would crumble fastest? We have wondered this ourselves. However, as the History channel will tell us tonight, from the ruins of ancient civilizations to present day cities devastated by natural disasters, history gives us clues to these questions and many more. While sadly ignoring the effect of a massive zombie outbreak on the living world, the History channel does explore what our world might be like though their special “Life After People“, which airs January 21st, 2008 at 9pm EST.
Comments (23)
Tonikaku on 21 Jan 2008 at 7:21 pm #
I think there is a lot of merit and attention to be paid to this topic as it will be very important to any survivors that make it all the way thru. I think the major metropolitan areas will need to be abandoned outright, way too much upkeep there.
I think we will see many small communities spring up like at the end of “I am Legend” or in “Jericho”. An almost city state government setup like Greece used to have. I already know the community I will head for once all is said and done.
That will be the immediate future of survivors.
ZAC Admin on 22 Jan 2008 at 8:59 pm #
For those who did (or even did not) catch the show, one interesting point made was that without human intervention, nature will reclaim the roads. Within a period of time, it is possible for some roads to completely vanish.
If the outbreak level is severe enough to prohibit us from taking care of the roadways, it will present an entirely new challenge of navigating in a world after the zombies have attacked.
Tonikaku on 23 Jan 2008 at 8:27 am #
So, post Zed’s are we maintaining the roads only in our location of choice? Do we try and keep them up leading to neighboring cities even if they are abandoned? Do we intentionally ruin them 10 miles out of town to discourage people from coming to our location?
I like living out the events in my Northern location, but maybe when all is truly said and done I will organize a move to the south where there is less civil upkeep because of the freezing. Probably something that would be lead by horse/ox so if the roads don’t exist anymore I can keep it moving.
Sam on 23 Jan 2008 at 2:38 pm #
It’s interesting you should mention roads being reclaimed. I’ve lived in Michigan most of my life and we have as many, if not more, ghost towns than the west due to mines and lumber industries rapidly expanding and collapsing.
I know a modern town that has been moved due to mine collapse and yes, trees and shrubbery have reclaimed the road. Tall trees. Essentialy, you’d need a very maneuverable vehicle or bike to get around. A bike would be ideal, but I’d still prefer my car.
Shall I mention Detroit? Talk about “I am Legend”, detroit already looks like that! I’ve seen trees growing out of steel doors. Trees on roofs. Packs of wild dogs. Detroit, now.
Tonikaku on 23 Jan 2008 at 5:15 pm #
I hear you on that Sam, born and raised in Detroit, it is a sad yet interesting perspective to see entire neighborhoods simply abandoned in a modern American city. Even some of the old warehouses right off of Jefferson on the River, sad, eerie and somehow beautiful in the same moment.
ZAC Admin on 23 Jan 2008 at 8:58 pm #
“So, post Zed’s are we maintaining the roads only in our location of choice?”
My point was that we might not have a choice. If the outbreak was severe enough, it might force us into refuge and extreme defensive positions. With that in mind, we might not have the ability to maintain the roads the way we need, thus allowing nature to take them over.
The level of outbreak will certainly determine a lot, however, the landscape of our world will forever be changed.
C.h.u.d_Pwner on 23 Jan 2008 at 10:21 pm #
I just finished watching the show and im terrifeid. I think the only thing scarier than having to battle the undead. Is living in a post apocalyptic world over run with Roaches. I never thought about how different pests will invade supermarkets in search of food. I wonder how things would play out with packs of wolves making contact with the undead. Would they attack them for food or smell there rotting flesh and avoid them?
Tonikaku on 23 Jan 2008 at 10:49 pm #
Time to invest in some ATV’s and get really comfortable with them eh?
Toebo23 on 26 Jan 2008 at 12:45 am #
Another Michigan mans here. This state is full of ghost towns and small farm towns yet metros like Detroit and Grand Rapids. What about setting up base in an old ghost town? Have a plan set up with people ahead of time. There would have to be like zero zeds there. What do you guys think? could we make this a Topic to talk about? I could scout out some ghost towns around the area.
Tonikaku on 26 Jan 2008 at 7:41 pm #
So are you thinking UP ghost town just to solidify the utter lack of people around?
Ever been to either Manitou island?
I think South Manitou. Pros: there is some minor infrastructure left on South Manitou, working manual pumps, a natural harbor to protect any boat we might use for fishing. There are all kinds of animals from small game all the way up to deer for food as long as we hunt them sparingly and farming land in the middle of the island to continue to grow food.
Best thing of all, during their “peak” times there are very few people on that island.
Cons: it is within view of land from the Western coast of Michigan, so some people might try to make it out to us. A major shipping lane passes close by as well so anyone on a boat with a nautical map might be led there. Lake Michigan can freeze over between there and the mainland so then we have people/Zeds that could walk over. 8 miles of coast line to have to watch/worry about.
Toebo23 on 28 Jan 2008 at 12:17 am #
Get the Ice cutter from Grabd Haven Harbor and somehow master the beast during winter you can go hunting on the mainland better chance of all people making it back, slow zeds abd all. use the ice cutter to cut a trence around the island. I have been to Beaver Islamd that close to you? and as for people trying to make it to you. Hold them at gunpoint untill they are checked out for bit wounds.
Tonikaku on 28 Jan 2008 at 7:07 pm #
Initially I thought I’d prefer Manitou, although Beaver does have a usable air strip that we can do “recon” from easily enough, not to mention the fuel depots and greater infrastructure. I like your idea of holding onto the Great Lakes Ice breaker….though a lot of deer actually come to the islands during winter, though their patterns may change dramatically anyways.
And the trips to the mainland for supplies wouldn’t be too hard at all, boat or plane.
Toebo23 on 28 Jan 2008 at 10:55 pm #
If you look at it for long term it could not get much better. There are a few Islands up there and when one is full take another one. Chance of zed attack is damn near 0 (lets not get into animals turning lol) until winter and as we talked about break a trench around the island or just set up look out posts, build a wall. Theirs a lot that could be done. Use the airstrip for search and rescue. Get our numbers up. The Michigan Lake islands would be a nice spot for a base.
Tonikaku on 29 Jan 2008 at 12:12 am #
Face some pretty harsh heavy snow falls on Beaver Island from what I hear (never been in winter), but perfectly survivable and again, forests and farm land and game to hunt/fish. Boats are easy enough to learn and flying a Cessna is easy enough to teach to others. So take what supplies we have ready once travel is deemed appropriate and set up operations huh?
Toebo23 on 29 Jan 2008 at 12:33 am #
sounds like a plan. set up base, easy to defend. just have to hunker down and make it through winters. thats the only down side i see. but if you get the work done on the clear days, the shittty days sould be able to wait out the storm. have the ice breaker cutting paths. i am going to look up the islands see what we have to work with
Toebo23 on 29 Jan 2008 at 12:41 am #
I am looking at the map of the great lake Islands. Beaver island would be our best bet. its the biggest one giving us more room for farms ect ect. mackinac island I think is to close to land. lights from homes.fire, could be seen from mainland. they have 2 air strips even a golf course lol
Tonikaku on 29 Jan 2008 at 6:50 am #
And a bunch of snotty rich vacation homes. We need people who can handle what we will be facing not a board room. The people on Beaver Island may have money, but from more practical things and a more realistic group of people to deal with.
Toebo23 on 29 Jan 2008 at 2:06 pm #
there a bunch of snobs ill give you that. thats why we go looking for others. get the land secured, then ( if any of us can fly) we go looking for others. the island is pretty big. we should be able to get a half ass city running.
Tonikaku on 29 Jan 2008 at 7:30 pm #
Oh absolutely. I knew I needed an excuse to recert as a pilot. The next thing we need is to secure one of those ocean going liners with refined fuel on board and dock it.
Toebo23 on 30 Jan 2008 at 9:16 pm #
This could work…..
Toebo23 on 31 Jan 2008 at 10:46 pm #
So thats my plan. I think I am going to head to Beaver Island when the outbreak comes.
Tonikaku on 02 Feb 2008 at 9:09 pm #
I do really think it is our best option, we will need some pretty strict rules for those who may slowly find their way to us. I am thinking a quarantine zone where they have to live out some period of time before they mingle with the general population of our new home.
Toebo23 on 03 Feb 2008 at 12:06 am #
thats a good idea.. we would have to have ( when we get our numbers up) our own army. it is going to take a lot to run an island at big with the Zed’s D-day on us